Tag: zen

It’s not possible to take Zen out of Shaolin martial arts because Shaolin martial arts were born from Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen. Shaolin Martial Arts is a pathway to Zen. How is this possible? Because the movements cut through the thinking mind.Source: Your Pathway To Zen | shifuyanlei

“Even though you try to put people under control, it is impossible. You cannot do it. The best way to control people is to encourage them to be mischievous. Then they will be in control in a wider sense. To give your sheep or cow a large spacious meadow is the way to control him. So it is with people: first let them do what they want, and watch them. This is the best policy. To ignore them is not good. That is the worst policy. The second worst is trying to control them. The best one is to watch them, just to watch them, without trying to control them.” ? Shunryu Suzuki, Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind: Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice #zen

“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s there are few”

What perfect place to start. If you are interested in Zen Buddhism or meditation in general, start here. Zen Mind, Beginners Mind is a book of compiled talks by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, one of the first Zen Masters to come to the states in the 1960’s.

Since we here at shot1 support any and all religions (that don’t cause harm) we might as well look into what we don’t really know. Use your beginners mind people!

First days of spring…..blue sky, bright sun.Everything is gradually becoming fresh and green.Carrying my bowl, I walk slowly to the village.The children, surprised to see me,Joyfully crowd about, bringingmy begging trip to an end by the temple gate.I place my bowl on top of a white rock andHang my sack from the branch of a tree.Here we play with the wild grasses and throw a ball.For a time, I play catch while the children sing;Then it’s my turn.Playing like this, here and there, I have forgotten the time.Passers-by point and laugh at me, asking,”What is the reason for such foolishness?”No answer I give, only a deep bow;Even if I replied, they would not understand.Look around! There is nothing besides this.